Airport strike threat

Thousands of workers at some of the country's biggest airports yesterday started voting on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action over pay, threatening disruption before the end of the summer holidays.

Unite said 6,000 of its members who work as firefighters, engineers and support and security staff at Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh will vote over the next few weeks over a "measly" offer.

The union said airport operator BAA is only offering a 1 per cent pay rise, plus 0.5 per cent conditional on changes to the sickness agreement.

Workers can also earn a bonus if BAA meets financial targets, said Unite.

The strike ballot will close on 12 August.